Spain threatens Catalans ahead of Thursday deadline
MADRID: Spain said on Wednesday it would take the unprecedented step of seeking to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy if the region’ s leader does not abandon his independence bid, on the eve of his deadline to give an answer.
Separatist leader Carles Puigdemont — whose banned independence referendum on October 1 has sparked Spain’s worst political crisis in decades— has until 10:00 am (0800 GMT) on Thursday to tell Madrid whether or not he is declaring a split from the rest of the country.
Unless he backs down, Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said Madrid would trigger article 155 of Spain’s constitution, a never before used measure that could allow it to take direct control over semi-autonomous Catalonia.
It could allow Madrid to suspend Puig demon t’ s regional government and eventually trigger new elections in Catalonia, but the move would risk further escalating a crisis that has sparked huge street rallies, rattled stock markets and deeply worried Spain’s EU partners.
“All Iaskof Mr Puigdemontis that he acts with good sense,” Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told parliament on Wednesday.
Puigdemont issued a cryptic “suspended” declaration of independence following the referendum, saying he wanted time for talks with the government -- a prospect Madrid has rejected.
Rajoy would need Senate approval to trigger Article 155, but his conservative Popular Party has a majority there.
Jo rd iXuc la, a law maker from Catalonia’s ruling coalition, told Rajoy in parliament that such a move would be “a serious mistake... its application would be difficult and questionable .” AF P